How do you get a Mounjaro or Ozempic prescription legally in the UAE?
The prescription rule, which regulator covers your emirate, what Dubai and Abu Dhabi each require, what happens at the appointment, and the signs of an illegal supply.
Written for the United Arab Emirates. Reading from India? India version
You need a prescription from a doctor licensed by a UAE health regulator, after an assessment, and the medicine must come from a licensed pharmacy. Dubai’s guideline describes medicine at a BMI over 30, or 27 to 29.9 with a health condition. Abu Dhabi is stricter: a certified obesity doctor, and a BMI of 30 with a condition, or over 40.
Key takeaways
- Abu Dhabi’s health department says GLP‑1 medicines such as semaglutide and tirzepatide are prescription-only and should be used only under medical supervision.1
- Dubai’s obesity guideline says medicine can be considered at a BMI over 30, or 27 to 29.9 with health problems, after lifestyle changes fail to give 5% loss.2
- Abu Dhabi’s 2025 obesity standard starts GLP‑1s at a BMI of 30 with a weight-related condition, or over 40, decided by an obesity-certified doctor.3
- Abu Dhabi’s standard says to continue a GLP‑1 beyond 6 months only after at least 5% weight loss.3
- In July 2026 a Sharjah court fined two people Dh10,000 each for selling Mounjaro through social media without a licence.4
On this page
What does the law require?
A prescription from a UAE-licensed doctor, filled at a licensed pharmacy. Abu Dhabi’s health department calls GLP‑1s “prescription-only medicines” to be used “under medical supervision”.1
- This post explains the rules; it does not tell you whether a medicine suits you. A doctor decides that.
- We don’t name, rank or link to clinics, apps or pharmacies.
- Every risk of these medicines is in Guide 5: Side effects and risks.
Abu Dhabi’s health department told the public not to buy Ozempic or Mounjaro without a prescription, and to get them through pharmacies, not “via the internet or any advertising means”.5 Abu Dhabi’s official drug list classes every Mounjaro, Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus and Foundayo pack as a prescription-only medicine.6
The gap in practice. In a 2026 study, a researcher posing as a customer asked 153 pharmacies in Dubai and the Northern Emirates for Ozempic for weight loss with no prescription. Only 26.8% asked for one.7 That is a failure of checks, not a legal route: the doctor’s assessment is what catches the people these medicines can harm.
Which regulator covers your emirate?
Medicines are approved nationally, but doctors and clinics are licensed by health regulators. Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah each have their own.8,9
- National: the Emirates Drug Establishment approves medicines, as it did the Wegovy pill in June 2026.10 Under the 2024 medicines law it took over approvals, licensing and advert approvals from the Ministry of Health and Prevention.11
- Dubai: the Dubai Health Authority (DHA).8
- Abu Dhabi: the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), named HAAD in older documents.8
- Sharjah: the Sharjah Health Authority, which licenses health facilities and professionals there.9
If you can’t tell which authority licensed a clinic or doctor, ask before you book. Guide 6 sets out the emirate rules side by side.
What does Dubai’s guideline say?
Medicine “can be considered” at a BMI over 30, or 27 to 29.9 with health problems, when a full lifestyle programme has not given at least 5% weight loss in 3 to 6 months.2
The DHA guideline adds that the decision should be “individualized” after weighing the risks. Doctors should consider your other conditions, your preferences, insurance and cost, and side effects.2 It applies to DHA-licensed doctors and facilities, including telehealth services.2
We found no DHA rule that limits GLP‑1 prescribing to specialists. For a 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) person, a BMI of 27 is about 78 kg (172 lb) and 30 is about 87 kg (192 lb). Our telehealth post covers online appointments in Dubai.
What does Abu Dhabi require?
An obesity-certified doctor, and a higher starting point than the labels: a BMI of at least 30 with a weight-related condition, or over 40.3
- Who decides. “The obesity certified physician determines the initiation time” of medicine, after discussing benefits, side effects and monitoring.3
- Certification. The prescribing doctor in a weight team needs obesity training and “certification approved by DoH”.3
- The 6-month check. Continue beyond 6 months only after losing at least 5% of starting weight.3
- Online. A DoH tele-prescribing doctor must have a live audio or video call with you before prescribing.12
So a BMI of 28 with high blood pressure fits the label, but not Abu Dhabi’s standard. For Thiqa members, the obesity programme adds its own prescriber and activity rules; see the Thiqa post and Abu Dhabi’s rules.
What about Sharjah and the Northern Emirates?
The national rule applies everywhere: GLP‑1s need a prescription. We found no published GLP‑1 prescribing rule specific to Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah or Fujairah.
Sharjah’s courts have punished illegal supply. In July 2026, two people were fined Dh10,000 each for selling medicines without a licence and practising pharmacy without authorisation, after selling Mounjaro through social media.4 A third was fined Dh5,000, and the medicines and money were confiscated.4
Builds a printable list for your appointment, including your medicines and plans. No sign-up.
What happens at the appointment?
The doctor checks whether the medicine is safe and suitable for you. UAE doctors described a medical history, BMI and blood tests before prescribing.13
- History. Your health, medicines and family history, including thyroid cancers and pregnancy plans, which can rule these medicines out.13
- Measurements and tests. Weight and BMI, blood sugar, cholesterol, and liver, kidney and thyroid tests.13
- Lifestyle first. Dubai’s guideline places medicine after a full lifestyle programme.2
- The discussion. Abu Dhabi’s standard asks doctors to explain how the medicine works, its side effects and the monitoring needed.3
Bring your questions. Guide 4 covers who should not take these medicines, and the tool above builds a list for the visit.
What are the signs of an illegal supply?
No prescription asked for, sales through social media or adverts, and vials or “peptides”. UAE regulators have acted against each.5,14
- Social media sellers. DoH has warned about fake Ozempic and Mounjaro sold through an Instagram account and website.5
- “Peptides”. In July 2026 the Emirates Drug Establishment acted against 71 sources selling unapproved “peptide” weight-loss products, 14 of them registered businesses.14
- Adverts. Prescription-only medicines may not be advertised to the public, and under the 2024 medicines law, medical products need approval before any advert, with fines up to AED 1 million.8,11
- Prices. UAE medicine prices are fixed nationally, so a cut-price branded pen is a warning sign.15
Our posts on fake pens and peptides and retatrutide go further.
Questions people ask
Can I buy Ozempic without a prescription in the UAE?
No. GLP‑1s are prescription-only, and Abu Dhabi’s health department tells the public not to buy them without one.1,5
Who can prescribe Mounjaro in Abu Dhabi?
Abu Dhabi’s standard says an obesity-certified doctor decides when to start, and the prescribing doctor needs DoH-approved obesity certification.3
Can any doctor prescribe a GLP-1 in Dubai?
A DHA-licensed doctor can. We found no DHA rule limiting GLP‑1 prescribing to specialists; DHA’s guideline describes when medicine can be considered.2
What BMI do I need for weight-loss injections in the UAE?
Dubai’s guideline uses over 30, or 27 to 29.9 with health problems; Abu Dhabi’s uses 30 with a condition, or over 40. A doctor decides.2,3
Is it legal to buy Mounjaro on Instagram?
No. A Sharjah court fined sellers for selling medicines without a licence, and DoH has warned of fakes sold on Instagram.4,5
How we researched this
On 12 October 2026 we read Abu Dhabi’s obesity standard and tele-medicine standard, Dubai’s obesity telehealth guideline, three DoH circulars, a 2026 study of UAE pharmacies, a law firm’s guide to UAE medicine advertising, and news of the Sharjah court case and the July 2026 crackdown.
We could not open the Ministry of Health and Prevention’s 2025 national obesity guideline or the full text of the 2024 medicines law, so we don’t quote them. We found no GLP‑1 rules specific to the Northern Emirates and say so rather than guess.
Before you move on
- A GLP‑1 needs a prescription from a UAE-licensed doctor and a licensed pharmacy.
- Dubai’s guideline: BMI over 30, or 27 to 29.9 with a condition, after lifestyle changes.
- Abu Dhabi: an obesity-certified doctor, BMI 30 with a condition or over 40, and a 6-month 5% check.
- No prescription asked, social media sellers, vials or “peptides” are red flags.
More from the UAE blog
The monthly UAE update
An independent guide to GLP‑1 medicines. We don't sell medicines, take drug-company money or earn clinic commissions. Once a month: approvals, price changes, insurance rules and safety alerts in the UAE. How we write
Sources
- Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. Circular 48/2026, 16 March 2026, relaying an Australian alert on fake GLP-1 products ("GLP-1 receptor agonists ... are prescription-only medicines and should only be used under medical supervision"; the products "are not registered with The Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) but can be purchased online and through social media platforms"; report to the DoH Pharmacovigilance programme, [email protected]). Summarised, not reproduced. PDF
- Dubai Health Authority. Clinical Guidelines for Virtual Management of Obesity, DHA/HRS/HPSD/CG-53, issue 2, effective 21 April 2024: section 4 (applies to "DHA licensed physicians and health facilities providing Telehealth services"; excludes emergencies and "Narcotics, Controlled or Semi-Controlled medications"), definitions ("telephone or video call consultations") and 11.9 (drug therapy at BMI over 30, or 27 to 29.9 with comorbidities, after a lifestyle programme without at least 5% loss at 3 to 6 months). PDF
- Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. Standard for Non-Surgical Management of Obesity, DOH/ST/HPS/Non-Surgical-MO/V1/2025, February 2025, sections 3.4.2 (GLP-1 starting and stopping criteria; "The obesity certified physician determines the initiation time of pharmacological treatment") and 4.1 (physician "who has training in obesity management and certification approved by DoH"). PDF
- Gulf News. Dh10,000 fine for selling Mounjaro injections without a licence in Sharjah (Sharjah Misdemeanours Court; selling medicines without a licence and practising pharmacy without authorisation; a third person fined Dh5,000; medicines and funds confiscated). 31 July 2026. gulfnews.com
- Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. Circular 10/2025, 4 February 2025, "Alert Against the Use of Counterfeit Version of Ozempic and Mounjaro" sold through a social media account and website; the public should not buy them without a prescription, should not buy them "via the internet or any advertising means", and should visually inspect what they have. Summarised, not reproduced. PDF
- Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. Shafafiya drug list (Drugs.xlsx), release 26 September 2026, effective 2 October 2026: “Package Price to Public” in AED, and dispense mode “POM” (prescription-only medicine), for every GLP‑1 pack listed, including Mounjaro KwikPen (AED 1,734), Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelsus and Foundayo. Downloaded and checked against this page on 12 October 2026. The official list, not a seller. XLSX
- Raisan NK, Al-Tabakha MM, Ashames A. Evaluating community pharmacists' dispensing and counseling practices of semaglutide for weight loss in the United Arab Emirates: a simulated patient study. Pharmacy Practice, 2026 (153 pharmacies in Dubai and the Northern Emirates; "only a minority (26.8%) requested a prescription"; chain pharmacies 35.4%). Ajman University record
- CMS. Expert guide to advertising of medicines and medical devices: United Arab Emirates ("Article 39 of the 2019 Law prohibits the advertisement of any prescription only drugs"; online adverts need prior approval and influencers a UAE Media Council licence, paid or unpaid; emirate-level regulators include the Dubai Health Authority, the Abu Dhabi health regulator and the Sharjah Health Authority). 8 May 2024. cms.law
- Sharjah Health Authority. Services: health regulation (licences for healthcare facilities and professionals in Sharjah). Opened 12 October 2026. sha.shj.ae
- Khaleej Times. UAE approves Wegovy pill for weight loss, cardiovascular risk reduction (approved by the Emirates Drug Establishment as "a once-daily oral treatment for long-term weight management in adults with obesity or overweight linked to weight-related medical conditions"; the second country to approve it). 1 June 2026. khaleejtimes.com
- Pinsent Masons. UAE pharmaceutical law: 10 things businesses should know (Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2024; the Emirates Drug Establishment takes over approvals, licensing and advertising approvals from the Ministry of Health and Prevention; medical products may not be advertised by any means without approval; fines up to AED 1 million). 17 February 2025. pinsentmasons.com
- Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. Standard on Tele-Medicine, DOH/SA/TLM/0.9/2020, effective 16 September 2020, section 12 (tele-prescribing: "The physician must have real-time audio/video communication with the patient before issuing the prescription"; prescription captured in the patient's electronic record; conditions needing a physical examination excluded; "In cases of uncertainty ... refer the patient to face-to-face consultation prior to prescribing"). Cites the Annex to Cabinet Resolution No. 40 of 2019 governing tele-health services. PDF
- Khaleej Times. New obesity pill approved in UAE: who can get it, availability, prescription explained (doctors describe BMI 30 or more, or above 27 with a related condition; expected from May 2026). 17 April 2026. khaleejtimes.com
- Gulf News. UAE weight-loss drug crackdown: 71 sources, 14 influencers face action (Emirates Drug Establishment measures against 71 sources marketing unapproved "peptide" products, 14 of them registered establishments; 14 influencers referred to the National Media Office; inspections of compounding pharmacies; "Retatrutide remains under clinical investigation and has not been approved"). 25 July 2026. gulfnews.com
- Mondaq (law firm analysis). Pricing of pharmaceutical products in the United Arab Emirates (prices fixed at registration by a Ministry committee, with "fixed margins for the distributors and pharmacies"). mondaq.com
- Department of Digital Ajman. Handling emergencies ("999 for Police", "998 for Ambulance", "997 for Fire Department (Civil Defence)"). Checked 12 October 2026. ajman.ae
Last checked 12 Oct 2026 · Next review due 12 Apr 2027 · Report an error
How this post was made. Written by the GLP Guidebook team from the sources above. It's general information, not medical advice. Talk to a qualified doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine. How we write